The Memorial Ball

The rest of Easter break went by in a blur; Hermione spent every waking moment either studying, eating, or working in the shop.

The last month of school went about the same way; the professors shoved coursework down the seventh years throats at an alarming rate.

By the first week of June, Hermione had managed to complete her coursework and study for her finals with only two trips to Madam Pomfrey for a calming draught.

Monday through Wednesday were exam days for the senior students and Thursday and Friday were suppose to be days of relaxation before the Memorial Ball that Saturday, but with Hermione being Hermione, she was beyond herself with worry on how well she did and kept second guessing her answers. She had even gone back to Headmistress McGonagall and asked if she could look over one of her answers again. The professor assured her that everything was fine and that she couldn't allow her to access her test after she had already left the room.

Hermione's mood didn't lift until Saturday morning, when the other seventh year Gryffindor girls reminded her that she would be seeing Fred and that it would be a shame for her to ruin it by having a sour look on her face.

They spent the day locked up in their dorm reminiscing, talking about their futures, and eventually getting ready for the ball. Hermione tried to savor every minute with these girls, because she knew this chapter in their lives were coming to a close.

XxXxXx

Hermione stood in an empty classroom waiting for Harry to show. She felt extremely emotional and wished he was already there. Her stomach was in knots about the ball. All eyes would be on Hermione and Harry and she didn't want that. She expressed this to the Headmistress, but somehow she ended up roping them into making a grand entrance, making a speech, and revealing the memorial.

She missed Fred and she was anxious to see him. She hoped that she would get a glance of him on her way in. She and Harry were asked to do the first dance, so it would be a bit before she could concentrate on Fred. The press would be there and she wasn't sure how well her relationship with Fred would go over. The press at the Triwizard Tournament had been terrible; she was sure that they would use Fred against Ron somehow.

The door opened and Harry stepped in quickly and closed the door. Hermione hurried over to hug him.

"You look very handsome, Harry." Hermione commented, giving him a once over.

He grinned. "Thanks. You look beautiful…that's not a color I ever expected to see you in! It looks great, though! Is it for Fred?"

She laughed. "Yes… for Fred. Poppy convinced me to get it. It's rather bright though, isn't it? Maybe I shouldn't have chosen such an expressive color… too easy to spot…" She mentioned, looking down and pulling on it.

"Don't be ridiculous. You look great; the press is going to be all over anyway, I don't think the color matters."

"I suppose you're right. Harry... I'm nervous."

Harry wrapped her up in a hug. "I am, too. I'm glad I'm not doing this alone."

Hermione smiled and squeezed him tighter. "I'm glad you don't have to... we can do this together."

Harry laughed and pulled away. "My stomach was in better shape defeating Voldemort than trying to do this."

"This is outside your comfort zone… I know it sounds crazy… but, trying to defeat dark wizards has been all you've ever known in the wizarding world." Hermione tried to logic.

"I'm a terrible dancer…" Harry admitted, out of the blue.

"I know… look… it's just the two of us and I don't think we need to do the choreographed dance like we had to at the Yule Ball. Just… dance. What are they going to do? Stop the music and make us start over?" Hermione reasoned, smiling at her best friend.

The door opened and Headmistress McGonagall stepped in. "Are you two ready?"

They looked at one another and nodded.

"Mr. Potter… Ms. Granger… you'll both do splendid. Try not to be too nervous?" the Headmistress encouraged.

Hermione tried to give her a smile, but her cheeks wouldn't cooperate. Harry offered her his arm and she gladly accepted, holding onto it tightly.

"Please don't let go until I see Fred." Hermione whispered.

He lifted his free arm and placed his hand over hers that clutched his arm. "Wouldn't dream of it."

They followed the professor out into the corridor and stopped when they got to the doors to the Great Hall. Hermione gave a small squeak and Harry leaned over and kissed her temple.

The doors opened and Harry started to move forward, pulling Hermione a bit until she found her courage and fell in step with him.

There were cheers all around and she felt herself grinning; she looked up at Harry to find him doing the same. Faces flashed before her as they walked to the middle of the dancefloor. Hundreds of people were there and she found herself mentally checking that she had her wand with her.

She looked for a sea of red and it didn't take long to find. The Weasley's were all there, smiling and clapping as the two made their way to the middle. She caught Fred's eye and his smile widened. 'Fuchsia?' He mouthed, causing her to grin and nod.

She looked forward and four camera men stood in front of them and began to click away. She stopped and almost stumbled when Harry kept going. He turned back towards her and slipped his arm around her waist to make her keep walking.

"Our guests of honor are going to lead us into the ball with the first dance." Headmistress McGonagall's voice amplified.

Harry took Hermione's hand and kept his arm wrapped around her. She finally snapped to and looked up at Harry, putting her hand on his shoulder as the music started. She was thankful that it was a slow one and they wouldn't have to move too much.

"Thank you for being so brave. I don't know what came over me… I felt like it was the first night of seventh year all over again." Hermione whispered in his ear.

"It's alright. I've got you." Harry grinned at her. She shook her head in amazement and grinned back.

Men with cameras started closing in on them again and Hermione felt her heart give a lurch as she looked towards one of them.

"Harry…" She stepped closer to him, needing the security.

"Just ignore them. Look at me."

She looked up at his vivid green eyes and felt her anxiety start to dissipate.

"You truly are incredible… after everything you've been through… and I can't even handle this." Hermione told him, her eyes starting to well with tears.

"No… no crying. There are a lot of people around. I've been out in the wizarding world longer. You've been hidden in the castle with the same students and professors… you aren't use to the media frenzy yet. You'll get use to it." Harry placed her hand on his chest and wiped a lone tear off her cheek before grabbing her hand again.

"It isn't fair… we shouldn't have to get use to it." Hermione said, biting her bottom lip.

"I know it isn't… but that's how it is and you'll have to get use to it." Harry agreed.

The song stopped and the Headmistress' voice amplified again. "Will the dates of the guests of honor please join Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger on the dancefloor?"

Hermione grinned up at Harry and looked over at the sea of red. She saw Fred and Ginny make their way over. Fred was grinning; Ginny, on the other hand, looked rather green.

Harry released Hermione and she stepped into Fred's awaiting arms. He leaned down and kissed her forehead as he tightened an arm around Hermione, taking her hand in his. She placed her hand on his shoulder blade, pressing herself against him, trying to get as close to him as she could.

"I've missed you." She told Fred, grinning up at him. She was so happy she decided on high stilettos even though she knew her feet would be exhausted later. She was four inches taller than normal and it made it easier to find his eyes... and his lips later.

He nodded. "Me too. You look beautiful. The color is perfect." His eyes travelled down her face and across her bare shoulders.

"And you look dashing in your dress robes… so handsome." She lifted her hand from his shoulder blade and slid her fingers through the short fringe on the back of his neck. "Haircut too, I see. I like it." She fought the urge to run her hands through his hair and curled her fingers into a fist as she forced her hand back to his shoulder blade.

"Special night. Special robes… special girl in a special gown. Seemed fitting."

She laughed lightly. "That special, is it?" She teased.

"It is." He grinned, setting her hand against his chest and wrapping his other arm around her, holding her flush against him.

Hermione noticed more couples had started dancing around them. She was so focused on Fred, she wasn't sure how long everyone had been there.

"Think it's safe to kiss me, yet?" Hermione asked, looking up into his amber eyes.

The right side of his lip raised in a smirk as his eyes searched around the dancefloor before looking back down at her and raising his hand to her cheek.

He cupped her cheek and she raised her chin so he could reach her lips easily. His lips touched hers and she felt goosebumps spread over her arms, making her shiver in his arms. The hand on his chest slid up and around his neck, pulling his head closer as their lips pressed against each others.

There was a flash and they pulled apart, looking to the side to see a reporter and her photographer.

"Aren't you a handsome fella…" the reporter commented, "a Weasley, I take it? Which one are you?"

Hermione and Fred looked at one another, not sure how to handle this situation.

"Is there a problem?" George asked, appearing from behind the reporter. He stepped up next to Hermione, putting himself between her and the reporter.

"Ah… one of the twins…" the reporter added. "Successful business owners... Congratulations on the second location. A colleague of mine covered the grand opening."

Fred's and George's eyes met. "Er… thanks."

"So, tell me Mr. Weasley… how long have you and Ms. Granger been together? I had the impression that she and your brother had once been an item…"

"I'm sorry, we were in the middle of something… it really is quite rude to interrupt a couple in mid-dance." Fred told the nameless reporter, venom dripping from his words. Charlie and Sorin appeared on Hermione's other side, Charlie resting a hand on the small of her back.

"I… oh… well, I hadn't intended to upset you… I'll come back later?" The reporter asked.

"That wouldn't be a good idea…" George told her, crossing his arms and blocking the reporters view of Hermione.

"My, my… must be so nice to have so many handsome men surrounding you, Ms. Granger… must be a perk of being the beauty of the golden trio?" Hermione heard the reporter comment from the other side of George. She saw another flash and heard George and Fred both give a frustrated growl, George turning to face Hermione.

"Thank you." She told George, hugging him.

"No problem, Herms."

She turned to Charlie and his husband. "Are you okay, Hermione?" Charlie asked, rubbing her arm.

She nodded. "I'm fine. I was expecting that… I'm so happy you two were able to come!" She gave each of them a hug. Hermione's heart dropped at the thought of the reporter looking into the family and the heat that Charlie and Sorin would take if she twisted their story. She knew that they had nothing to be ashamed of, but many pureblooded families would be in an uproar about an openly gay pureblood.

"Where is everyone else?" Hermione asked, looking around the room.

"Bill's fighting off the men that are stalking his wife, Mum and Dad are talking to McGonagall, and Percy and Penny are with some old school friends." Charlie answered.

Hermione laughed. "Poor Bill. I remember how popular she was during the Triwizard Tournament… there are a lot more men here, now."

"Poor Bill my arse. You can't be too upset when you have a woman like that on your arm… he's enjoying telling them she's his." Sorin grinned.

The twins snorted, nodding. "Enjoying every minute of it, he is." Fred agreed, watching the couple as they sat at a table, Bills arm around her as he shooed others off.

They enjoyed dancing for awhile, Hermione dancing with George, then Charlie, and at last Sorin; Fred danced with Angelina, Katie, and Poppy before it was time to eat.

The Weasley's, Harry, and Hermione had a reserved table near the front. Soft, classical music began to play as they sat. The table was so large that she couldn't hear very many of the Weasley's; she didn't mind too much because she and Angelina were tucked between Fred and George and the twins always made her feel safe. She knew if that reporter were to come back that they would take care of it.

Hermione was finally able to look around the room and take in the décor for the first time. She realized it was based off of Van Gogh's painting, 'Starry Night'. The walls were midnight blue, bursts of what looked like fireballs floated around the walls, giving off light. The table cloths were moonlit yellow in the center, slowly getting darker and turning to a dark orange around the edges that touched the floor. The centerpiece bases were white pumpkins that seemed to glow from within. Tall branches came out of the top and sparkled like someone spray-painted them with gold glitter. Small yellow tea lights hung from the branches. She looked up to see the starlit ceiling, fake shooting stars buzzing about while white pumpkins floated overhead. There was a breeze above and if you watched long enough, you could see the transparent wind, blurring the stars and moon a bit when it blew. It truly was outstanding.

"This would be a beautiful wedding theme." Angelina mentioned, taking in her surroundings.

Hermione grinned, ideas already flooding her mind for Angelina. "It would… it'd be incredible. I have some ideas if you want to get together this summer…"

"If you both like it so much, we could always have that double wedding…" George added, wiggling his eyes at Fred.

Hermione saw Fred scowl at George. "Relax Fred… I promise I won't pin you down too fast." Hermione told him, smiling.

He smiled. "I believe it's my job to pin you down, Ms. Granger…" He wiggled his eyebrows at the double meaning, making her blush.

"That reminds me… thank you for letting me borrow that book Hermione… it was exactly what I needed. Fleur has it now." Angelina mentioned.

Hermione smiled. "I'm glad I could help... not sure if I'll be able to say the same to Fleur…" Hermione laughed.

George furrowed his brow. "What are you hens on about? What book? And why do you have something against Fleur all of a sudden?"

Hermione looked at Angelina trying, and failing, to hide her smirk.

"Don't worry, love. I'll explain later." Angelina told him, sliding her fingers through the hair on the back of his head.

The food came and gone and the four stayed in their seats, enjoying their conversation while everyone else got up to dance. Fred pulled her seat against his and she turned a bit, leaning against him as the four talked. Fred's forefinger kept grazing over the length of her shoulder, up the side of her neck, and back down as they talked.

She tried to concentrate on what they were saying, but his forefinger was mesmerizing. She couldn't help but concentrate on the way it ghosted over her skin. Her heart rate quickened and Fred noticed it when the pad of his forefinger grazed against the pulse point on her neck.

When Lee came over to talk, Fred leaned down and nuzzled the shell of her ear with his nose. "It's taking everything in me not to mark these as my own…" He whispered, lightly kissing her shoulder.

Hermione bit her lip, her eyes widening as she pretended to pay attention to Lee.

"It's a shame we can't take a walk without the risk of being caught…" Fred added, kissing the back of her neck, his tongue sweeping across her neck as he pressed his lips to her skin. He pulled back a few inches and blew on the wet skin.

She bit her lip harder to stifle a whimper and turned toward him. "We can't…" Seeing his disappointment, she added, "tomorrow is graduation and then I'm all yours." She would not allow the reporters to get something dirty on them.

He gave her a small smile and nodded. "One more night."

She pressed her lips to his. When she pulled away, she looked past him and groaned.

"What? What is it?" Fred asked turning in his seat.

"Cormac is talking to the reporter…"

XxXxXx

Harry stood, giving a speech while Hermione stood by his side. At the end of the speech, they were to pull the tarp off the wall, uncovering the new memorial that housed the names and pictures of everyone that passed away during the Battle of Hogwarts.

When Headmistress McGonagall asked them to prepare a speech, Hermione had decided against talking. It was extremely hard for her to talk about it still; adding nerves on top of it was asking for trouble.

Harry on the other hand offered to say a speech if Hermione promised to stand next to him while he gave it. So, she stood there in support of Harry and the lives lost. When the time came to uncover the memorial, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. And once it was uncovered, Harry and Hermione could hear a mixture of clapping and sobbing.

Harry and Hermione looked at one another for a moment before grabbing hands and turning to look. The wall was full of names and pictures. In the middle, above the lines of pictures was a slightly larger picture of Ron. Under his name read "One-third of the Golden Trio, died in werewolf attack."

Harry and Hermione stood, staring up at the picture while others flooded around them, looking at the pictures.

"It's been over a year Harry…" Hermione said quietly. Harry barely heard her.

"I know, Hermione." He squeezed her hand.

She turned her head toward him, her eyes filled with tears. Feeling her eyes on him, he turned his own head and she saw he was also on the verge of tears.

"Harry…" She cocked her head to the side. Her heart ached for her best friend in front of her.

He shook his head and pulled her into a hug, squeezing her tightly. She returned the hug, tears running down her face.

The Weasley's crowded around them, Mrs. Weasley pulling Harry in for a hug while she cried. Most of the others just stood, quiet, somber looks on their faces.

XxXxXx

Slowly the guests started to file back to the dancefloor to continue dancing. Fred and Hermione sat down at their table, both of their hearts feeling heavy. George and Angelina followed them, Angelina needing to get off her swollen feet.

"You okay, Freddie?" George asked. Fred shrugged. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Fred shook his head. He didn't expect to be so affected by the memorial. He never realized how many had lost their lives that day. He considered himself extremely lucky.

His eyes combed the floors, noticing the spots Hermione had mentioned last fall. His heart gave a lurch when he realized his brother's was there. He looked toward the corner where he was attacked and swallowed back tears.

He pulled on Hermione's hand, pulling her towards him. Knowing what he was asking, she stood and slipped into his lap, putting an arm around his shoulders. He buried his head in her neck and tightened his grip around her. Her heart ached for him; she wondered what was going through his head.

Hermione looked towards George and she noticed his face was pale. "Are you okay, George?"

"I will be."

Hermione reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze.

Lee, Katie, and Alicia came up behind George's chair, also looking upset. For the first time, Hermione truly got to see how the war had affected the community.

"We just wanted to make sure that everyone was okay." Lee stated, looking over the four.

Fred still had his head hidden. "Fred… your friends are here…" Hermione said quietly.

Fred replied by squeezing her tighter, refusing to move his head. Hermione reached up and slipped her fingers through his hair, massaging his scalp. Looking back up towards the others, she shrugged her free shoulder. "He just needs time."

"Hermione…" Alicia started, and Hermione felt Fred's muscles tense at her voice. Hermione slid her fingers through his hair again.

"Yes?"

"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for your loss… I know how close you, Harry, and Ron were… I can't imagine how hard it must have been." Alicia said, offering a small smile.

"Thank you Alicia… it was hard. I couldn't have done it without Fred."

Fred lifted his head a bit and kissed her shoulder, giving Hermione a sad smile before leaning his forehead against her temple, looking away from everyone else. He was starting to worry Hermione.

"I'm glad you had Fred to lean on. He's told me you're his soul-bond. I'm happy for you two."

Hermione gave Alicia a small smile and a nod. "I appreciate that."

When Fred squeezed her tight again, Hermione looked at George and raised an eyebrow. She didn't like that he would be going home alone that night acting the way he had been.

"How about we take a walk, baby? Get some fresh air?" Hermione asked. She didn't want to step away at the risk of the reporters hounding them, but Fred needed some fresh air. He had been there for her all this time and she would be there for him.

Nodding against her, he sat up straight so she could stand.

She took his hand. "We'll be back shortly." She announced to his brother and friends, leading him toward the doors of the Great Hall.

They quietly walked through the dark corridors of the castle, fingers entwined.

"I miss these corridors…" Fred finally spoke. "Brings back memories."

She grinned and leaned her head against his arm.

"Maybe we should visit the kitchens…" Fred mentioned, trying to lighten the mood.

Hermione laughed. "No... we should not. The elves are still put off with Ginny."

He couldn't help but grin at the thought.

They reached the courtyard and she pushed him to sit in a cutout of the wall, standing in front of him.

"Tell me." Hermione said, quietly. He moved his legs farther apart and grabbed the back of her thighs so she was pressed close to him. His fingers grazed the fabric on her thigh. He concentrated on the fabric as he rubbed it between his thumb and forefinger.

Hermione watched his facial expressions, wondering what was going on in that head of his. "Fred…"

"I just…" he began, his finger now grazing over the silver jeweled belt around her waist, "I miss him… and I can't help, but think I was a terrible brother to him. I was so mean. He was always the victim of our most viscous pranks… I feel guilty about how vile we were to him…. and now I've taken you… and the worst part is that I don't even feel bad about that."

She placed her hands against his chest. "Fred… that's what brothers do! You were young and he always bothered the two of you. He didn't like being the target of your pranks, but he still loved you and he knew you loved him, too. You can't go around regretting every prank you pulled… that's part of who you are. Ron was extremely proud of you and George… and your relationship got better after you two left Hogwarts." She slid her hands up and squeezed his shoulders.

"Yea… it got better because I wasn't around you. He knew I had my eye on you…"

"He also knew you never tried to make a move. He might have been worried you would, but you never did. Fred... you didn't take me from him. He's not here. He asked you to watch over me; he told me to let you take care of me. If he didn't love and respect you, he would have never said that. He could have asked anyone to make sure I was okay, but he picked you… he picked you to take care of the girl he loved cause he knew you were a good man. He knew you'd treat me right."

Fred let out a deep breath, the pressure on his chest releasing.

"Stop beating yourself up. You're overanalyzing everything." Hermione said.

He nodded, but didn't look up from her stomach.

"How're you feeling now?" Hermione asked a few moments later, slipping a hand through his hair.

"Better." He nodded.

"Ready to go back?"

"If you'll dance with me." He told her, standing and taking her hand, twirling her.

She let out an airy laugh. "Of course… I have to show off my incredibly sexy boyfriend." She told him, giving him a wink.

XxXxXx

They headed into the Great Hall hand in hand. Hermione felt another hand grab her free one and she was yanked away from Fred and spun into a hard chest.

"How about a dance, Granger?" He said, pulling her against him while moving them across the dancefloor.

"Usually it's polite to ask before forcing a girl to dance, Cormac." Hermione gritted through her teeth, trying to pull away. He held onto her and spun the both of them around again. She turned her head, keeping her eyes on Fred as he stalked over to them, grinding his teeth.

"I just wanted one dance with the most beautiful girl in the room." McLaggen commented. Hermione scowled up at him. It really was a waste that he was so good looking when his personality was so ugly.

"What if I don't want to?" Hermione asked, trying to subtly break free so she wouldn't make a scene.

"You see, Granger… I'm not the type of bloke that takes no for an answer…" He answered, spinning them around again, ending up in the middle of a crowd so that Fred couldn't reach her easily.

"So, I've noticed."

He grinned down at her and winked.

"I've also noticed that your hands are wandering dangerously low…" She realized she could no longer see Fred and that McLaggen had steered them close to a dark corner.

"Enjoying it, are you?" He asked, leaning in.

She leaned back. "Don't be stupid, Cormac… let me go." Hermione saw Fred out of the corner of her eye and she spun them around so that Cormac's back was to Fred and she took the lead, backing him right to Fred. Cormac's back hit Fred's chest, but Fred didn't move.

"Oh… sorry mate…" Cormac said, turning to see who it was. "Oh… hello, Weasley… just taking Granger for a twirl…"

"Songs over, McLaggen. Let her go." Fred warned.

Cormac dropped his hands to the side grinned at Hermione, giving a bow. "It's been my pleasure, Ms. Granger." He stated, straightening and narrowing his eyes at Fred before disappearing.

"Are you okay?" Fred asked, cupping her face.

"I'm fine. He's an arse."

"I tried to be subtle… I knew you wouldn't want a scene… when I saw his hands halfway on your arse I almost blew the subtlety to hell… if you hadn't looked so calm, he would have ended up on the floor." Fred slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him as they danced back to the middle of the floor.

"He wants a reaction… I refuse to give him one." She stated.

Around 10:00pm, the older Order members and ones with small children started leaving and by 11:00pm, the reporters were gone. The music changed to something with a faster tempo and a little more bass.

Bill and Fleur went home to the baby; Angelina went home to get some sleep, leaving George in the middle of the dancefloor dancing like an idiot with Fred.

Hermione sat in a chair at the table, a mound of men's jackets next to her, feeling exhausted from her final exams that week and the long day. She grinned, seeing that Fred and George had recruited Charlie and Sorin and they were currently jumping up and down, twirling in the air, and bouncing off of each other.

The four Weasley's were in the middle of a large group, the others clapping and cheering as they performed. She shook her head.

"Always the center of attention…" Poppy mentioned, plopping down next to Hermione. Hermione smiled and nodded.

"Where is Dean? Did he go home?" Hermione asked.

Poppy pointed to the group in the middle of the floor. Hermione followed her finger and saw that he was in the middle group that had grown to include Lee and Harry, as well.

"Men!" Poppy admonished.

Ginny caught Hermione's eye and she saw her, Neville, Romilda, and Nick dancing a few feet away from the others.

"Let's join them!" Hermione said, nodding her head towards their fellow seventh years.

Hermione took Neville's front and Poppy took the back of Nick so that the girls were surrounding the boys. A few minutes into dancing, a slightly slower song with strong bass started to play. Hermione and Ginny stood in front of Neville, turning their backs toward him and pushed themselves against him.

"Oh, bloody hell!" Neville exclaimed, hands on his cheeks when he felt their bums rocking against him.

"Lookie here, Freddie… I don't think Neville can handle two witches at once… maybe you should take one…" George teased as they made their way over to the group, wiping sweat off his brow.

"I don't think Neville has a problem handling both of us… he's done it all year!" Hermione cheeked back, grabbing Neville's arm and pulling it against her waist as she danced. His opposite hand found Ginny's waist and did the same.

Neville's face was crimson and Fred knew it wasn't from the intense dancing. He gave Neville a large smile.

"Better enjoy it now, Nev! She's mine tomorrow!" Fred laughed.

Harry and Dean headed toward the group, their eyes widening, watching their girlfriends dance.

"How come you don't dance like that when I'm around?" Harry called to Ginny.

"You thought it was more fun to jump around with a bunch of blokes… Neville and Nick were the only smart ones." Ginny answered.

Harry yanked Ginny toward him by her hand. "My turn."

Fred stuck his lip out at Hermione and whimpered like a lost puppy.

"But I'm dancing with Neville… Luna left for bed hours ago!" Hermione said.

"You've had your turn… it's mine now." Poppy said, pushing Hermione away from Neville. "I told Dean to go dance with Alicia."

Fred smiled and pulled Hermione close, steering her toward the doors of the Great Hall.

"Where are we going?"

"For another walk now that the reporters are gone."

He pulled her down the corridor and behind a tapestry, where a nook with three walls was located, one of the walls housing a door that lead somewhere.

He pushed her against the wall, his hands resting on the wall next to her shoulders. "Hi."

She smiled. "Fancy seeing you here…"

He grinned and leaned in, pressing his lips against hers. She tilted her head a small bit, deepening the kiss. Fred took his time dominating her mouth, tasting her, nipping at her bottom lip.

His hands slid down the wall and came to rest on her hips, squeezing lightly. He smirked into the kiss, hearing a soft moan come from her lips. He loved that such a small, innocent movement could elicit that reaction from her.

While their tongues battled for dominance, she reached for the hem of his halfway untucked white button down, and with one tug the shirt came free from his trousers. She slipped her small hands under the shirt and up his stomach, gasping and pulling her mouth away from him.

She lifted his shirt and squinted into the dark nook, trying to get a good look. She slid her left hand over his stomach again; his once flat stomach with only small contours was now bumpy. She looked up at him, cocking an eyebrow.

He gave her an amused look. "I had a lot of pent up… frustration… so I bought a home gym and placed it in the loft of the flat. I've been taking out my sexual frustration with that for the last month."

"Maybe I need to use it… I won't be able to keep up with you anymore." Hermione told him, feeling a bit more self conscious now that she realized just how much more fit he had become.

He shook his head, leaning closer to her face. "I like you soft and curvy." He pressed his lips to hers again.

Her hands went back up his shirt, to his chest and around to his back, wanting to feel every inch of his muscle tone. She wondered how she didn't notice it earlier; his shoulders even seemed to be a little broader. That meant he was stronger… his strength was always a major turn on for her and the thought made her wish she could go home with him that night.

As the kiss deepened and became more heated, his hands had slipped down to her bum, lifting her up and pressing her against the wall. He pulled his lips off hers and kissed down her jawline and neck, continuing to her shoulders where he worked on giving her a love bite. She released a whimper and tightened her grip in his hair. The sound made him stop suddenly and he hid his face in her neck while taking deep breaths.

"We need to stop." Fred's voice was muffled against the skin of her neck.

She whimpered. "But I don't want to."

"It's been too long, Hermione. When I finally enter you again, I want to take my time and I'm not going to leave you in a bloody castle afterward. You're worth more than a quickie behind a tapestry."

She nodded, closing her eyes and leaning her head back against the stone wall, panting a little. "Okay, you're right. I'm sorry." Her body was always in overdrive with him.

"Baby, you're grinding all over me... fuck. I hate leaving you like this." He placed her back on the ground.

She shook her head. "It's okay. I'll be okay."

He started to gather her dress, ignoring her. When he kneeled down, she put her hands out to stop him.

"Tink, you're going to let me do this. I need to do this." At the sound of her nickname, her body stilled and allowed him to disappear under her dress.

Hiking her thigh over his shoulder, he moved her satin panties to the side and breathed her in deeply.

"Fred..."

He dove in, groaning when his tongue hit her center. It made her giggle a little.

"I swear you like it just as much as I do."

He hummed against her center, making her body spasm.

Fred took his time working her up, his eyes closed as he listened to her. He wanted to commit her to memory for when he was in bed alone later. When she pleaded for him to let her fall over the edge, he gave her what she needed and when he reappeared from her dress and cleaned his face, he found her still gripping the stone around her, panting.

He pressed his mouth to her shoulders and neck, giving her time to recover.

"You just took care of a month of pent up frustration..." She admitted, giggling.

He smiled against her neck and pulled back to smile down at her. "This body belongs to me... You belong to me. I'll always take care of you."

She smiled up at him. He always got so possessive when they'd be intimate and it made her feel loved, appreciated, and safe.

"What about you?"

He shook his head. "I'll deal with me later." When she pouted, he nipped her lip with his teeth. "I don't want to soil that dress when I have plans for it later."

"Wha-what?"

He grinned at her wide eyes. "I want to fuck you in that dress. I've always dreamed of taking you in one of your dresses. I missed the yule ball, I missed Bill's wedding... I'm not missing this one."

"Fuck, Fred. I wish I could go home with you tonight." She clung to his shoulders.

"One more night, pet. Tomorrow I'll have you." He promised.

"Tomorrow." She agreed. "Less than twenty-four hours and I'll be home. I've already packed."

"I have, too." Fred told her.

"What do you mean?"

He pressed a kiss to her shoulder, hoping she wouldn't be angry. "I went to the burrow and packed your things. They're in boxes at the flat. Figured you'd like to unpack them yourself." He explained.

"But we never officially talked about-"

"I don't care. I'm not willing to be away from you any longer." He interjected.

She looked up at him, searching his face. He had always commented that he wanted her to live with him and he even told his mother that she wouldn't be returning, but she never got around to thinking it through… let alone, talking to him about the logistics of it. She wanted to be with him, to fall asleep every night and wake up every morning next to him, but she hadn't found a job yet.

"I don't have a job, Fred… I can't…"

"Don't be silly…"

"Fred…"

"Look… if you want a job, then work in the shop until the job you want in the ministry opens up. We'll make an official salary and everything… come on, Hermione. I know you want to." Fred leaned in and nuzzled his nose against hers, trying to convince her.

She sighed and looked down for a moment. She looked back into his amber eyes and he gave her an encouraging smile.

"Okay."

"Yes!" He threw his fist in the air.

She rolled her eyes, but couldn't keep the grin off her face.

"I snagged me a witch!"

"Only partly… we aren't married yet." She reminded.

"Not yet… but soon."

She cocked an eyebrow at him, surprised. "We'll see."